Bowling Average in Cricket: The Definitive Guide
What bowling average means in cricket — the formula, what a good average looks like in Tests vs T20s, and how average relates to strike rate and economy rate.
What Is Bowling Average?
Bowling average measures the cost (in runs) of each wicket a bowler takes. It is calculated by dividing total runs conceded by total wickets taken. A lower bowling average means the bowler takes wickets cheaply — the hallmark of quality in all formats. The bowling average is the most enduring measure of a bowler's effectiveness over a career.
The Formula
Bowling Average = Total Runs Conceded ÷ Total Wickets Taken. A bowler who has conceded 2,800 runs and taken 100 wickets has an average of 28.00. This means each wicket has cost them 28 runs — considered excellent in Test cricket.
Benchmarks by Format
- Tests: Under 25 is considered elite. Between 25-35 is good to very good. Over 40 is borderline for regular Test bowling. The greatest Test bowlers in history average in the teens to low-20s.
- ODIs: Under 25 is excellent. 30-35 is solid. Over 40 suggests the bowler is not taking wickets consistently enough for the format.
- T20Is: Under 20 is elite for T20Is. 25-30 is good. The format's short innings means fewer wickets per game, so sustained averages below 20 over large sample sizes are very impressive.
The Triangle: Average, Economy, Strike Rate
These three bowling statistics form an interrelated triangle. Bowling average = economy rate × bowling strike rate ÷ 6. A bowler with an excellent economy (tight bowling) but poor strike rate (doesn't take wickets often) will have a mediocre average. The best bowlers in cricket history tend to excel in all three — taking wickets at low cost, taking them frequently, and conceding few runs between wickets.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bowling average in Test cricket history?
Among bowlers with significant Test appearances, George Lohmann's 10.75 (Tests 1886-96) is technically the lowest, but in the modern era, George Lohmann and other Victorian-era bowlers faced conditions very different from today's. Among significant modern-era careers, Joel Garner (20.97), Malcolm Marshall (20.94), and Curtly Ambrose (20.99) are among the best.
Is bowling average or economy rate more important?
It depends on the format. In Tests, bowling average is primary — taking wickets cheaply matters most. In T20 cricket, economy rate often takes precedence — containing runs matters even if wickets come less frequently.